Pocono Township auditors secure Werkheiser's job

All three Pocono Township supervisors have been approved as full-time employees, with Harold Werkheiser rejoining the township's workforce.

MICHAEL SADOWSKI

All three Pocono Township supervisors have been approved as full-time employees, with Harold Werkheiser rejoining the township's workforce.

The township's board of auditors set the salary for all three supervisors Monday night, with two of the supervisors making less than they requested, but all of them receiving full-time jobs.

That puts Werkheiser back on the township payroll after he lost his job as the township's roadmaster. Supervisor Henry Bengel was appointed to the roadmaster job on Jan. 6, and now will make $52,000 a year after requesting $56,000.

A board of auditors sets the maximum salary of elected supervisors working for the township. Bengel is the roadmaster, Supervisor Frank Hess is the secretary/treasurer making $36,712 and Werkheiser will make $15 per hour. That equates to about $31,000 per year.

Bengel's salary drew the biggest criticism Monday, mostly because of his inexperience in the role. Bengel has admitted he has no experience on a road crew prior to taking the position. The township's roads department is responsible for the maintenance of 76 miles of municipal roads.

Bengel initially asked for $72,000 per year for the job, last week reduced the request to $56,000, but the auditors approved him for $52,000 per year.

John Boylan, the board's chairman, first suggested Bengel should make $42,000 per year, citing his lack of experience on the job. When Werkheiser was made roadmaster five years ago, Boylan said he requested the same salary as the former roadmaster.

The board, however, discounted Werkheiser's salary because he wasn't experienced in the position, Boylan said.

"He has no management experience, and no practical knowledge of the job," Boylan said. He added it would be "irresponsible" to give Bengel the raise.

Former township supervisor Pat Ross, a member of the board of auditors, said he believed the $52,000 is fair because of an expanded job description that would include representing the township.

Earlier this month, the auditors met with the intention of setting salaries for township supervisors. However, the township's supervisors met a day earlier and set into motion a number of issues the auditors aren't used to dealing with.

Normally, the auditors meet once a year, set salaries and don't meet again until the next year. The process usually takes about five minutes.

But after Bengel ascended to roadmaster, supplanting Werkheiser, the auditors' task became more daunting with Bengel's perceived exorbitant salary request and Werkheiser asking for a full-time salary.

The board retained Philadelphia area attorney Michael Savona at $185 per hour to assist them through the process.